Knew vs. New: What's the Difference?
Understanding the difference between knew and new is essential for clear and effective communication. Knew is the past tense of the verb 'know,' implying awareness or familiarity with something in the past. 'New,' on the other hand, is an adjective that describes something recently made, discovered, or unused. While they sound identical, their meanings and applications are distinct.
How do you use the word knew in a sentence?
The word knew is used when referring to an understanding, realization, or acquaintance that occurred in the past. It signifies that someone had specific information or facts at a previous time. As a simple past tense of 'know,' it cannot be used to describe current knowledge or to introduce new information.
Examples of knew in a sentence
- She knew the answer to the question immediately, but decided to think it over before speaking.
- I knew I had seen that painting before when I noticed the unique brushwork.
- They knew the challenges ahead, yet they were determined to proceed.
How do you use the word new in a sentence?
The word new is an adjective describing anything recent or not previously existent. It often suggests modernity, freshness, or a change from what was. New can be applied to objects, ideas, places, or experiences, typically capturing the essence of innovation or recent origin.
Examples of new in a sentence
- She showed off her new dress at the party, and everyone loved it.
- The company announced a new product line that will be available next month.
- After moving, he explored the new city with a map and a sense of adventure.
Knew and new definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Knew definition:
Knew is the past tense of the verb 'know,' which means to have been aware of or familiar with someone or something through experience or learning.
Knew parts of speech:
Knew pronunciation:
Knew is pronounced as /nju:/, with a silent 'k,' similar to the pronunciation of 'new.'
New definition:
New is an adjective describing something recently made or created, not existing before, or not previously known or used by someone.
New parts of speech:
New pronunciation:
New is pronounced /nju:/, rhyming with 'few' and sounding identical to 'knew.'
Knew is the past tense of the verb 'know,' which means to have been aware of or familiar with someone or something through experience or learning.
Knew parts of speech:
- As a verb: When I walked into the room, I knew something was amiss.
Knew pronunciation:
Knew is pronounced as /nju:/, with a silent 'k,' similar to the pronunciation of 'new.'
New definition:
New is an adjective describing something recently made or created, not existing before, or not previously known or used by someone.
New parts of speech:
- As an adjective: The car dealer has a range of new models to choose from.
New pronunciation:
New is pronounced /nju:/, rhyming with 'few' and sounding identical to 'knew.'
Knew vs. new in a nutshell
To recap, knew indicates prior knowledge or familiarity. It is strictly used as a past-tense verb. 'New,' conversely, is an adjective that refers to anything that has recently come into being or that is fresh in nature. Understanding these distinctions will ensure clear and precise language use, especially since both knew and new share the same pronunciation but differ significantly in meaning.
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